Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned a recent airstrike that claimed the lives of nearly a dozen civilians and left many wounded in the peaceful communities of Gidan Sama and Rumtuwa in Sokoto State.
Describing the incident as an “outrage that must be condemned in the strongest terms,” Abubakar urged reflection on past tragedies to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
Recalling the December 3, 2023, airstrike on a religious gathering in Tudun Biri, Kaduna State, which resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians, he questioned, “How many more lives must be lost before we take action?”
While emphasizing the legitimacy of targeting terrorists, Abubakar stressed the need for precision and intelligence to avoid harming non-combatants. “The indiscriminate killing of innocent citizens—our brothers, our sisters, our neighbors—can never be justified. It is not only a failure but a gross violation of humanity itself,” he said.
Abubakar highlighted the risk of alienating communities meant to be allies in the fight against terrorism, warning that such incidents could deepen divisions and foster resentment. He called for an end to the “tragic cycle of death” by valuing every life and preventing further senseless violence.
To the grieving families in Sokoto, Abubakar offered his condolences, saying, “May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace. Amin.”
